Sphinx

John Psathas

General Info

Year of Published: 2023
Publisher: John Psathas Editions
Difficulty: Advanced
Duration: 00:13:00
Cost: Score and Parts - $780.00   |   Score Only - $0.00

Movements

1. Sandstorm
2. Giza Sunrise
3. The Empty Box
4. Dynasty
5. Fury

Instrumentation

Timpani

Program Notes

Sphinx – for solo timpani and pre-recorded audio - was created to convey a series of feelings and states inspired by the Pharaonic legacy of ancient Egypt. Each of the five parts attempts to capture an essence of a particular aspect of the time, the personalities, and the power of that immense historical chapter in the history book of human civilisation. The work is also inspired by Normal Mailer’s extraordinary novel “Ancient Evenings” which presents a window into the all-encompassing power of the Pharaohs of Egypt.

The timpani materials of this suite are taken from the concerto ‘Pharaoh’ and woven together with new electronic textures and rhythms.

Throughout the course of the five movements, Sphinx evokes the desert, the pageantry of massive regal processions, the power and energy, and the mystery and awe inspired by these god-like human figures.

Recent Performances

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Works for Percussion by this Composer

Solo Works

Atalanta - Vibraphone and Audio
Buyan - Timpani and Audio
Djinn - Marimba
Drum Dance - Drum Set and Piano
Hello - Multiple Percussion and Piano
Infinite Mind - Marimba and Audio
Leviathan - Multiple Percussion
Planet Damnation (Solo Version) - Timpani
Pharaoh - Timpani
Relentless - Multiple Percussion and Audio
Sphinx - Timpani

Small Percussion Ensemble Works

4BY4 - Percussion Quartet
Aegean - Percussion Quartet
Corybas - Percussion Quintet
Cloud Folk - Percussion Octet; Piano
Kyoto - Percussion Quintet
Matre's Dance - Percussion Quartet

Large Percussion Ensemble Works

Planet Damnation for Percussion Ensemble - Solo Timpani + 12 Players
White Feather - 13 Players

With Other Instrument Works

Connectome - Multiple Percussion + Saxophone Quartet
Farewell to Flesh - Multiple Percussion + String Quartet